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Giggs retired as a Manchester United player on Monday, ending his legendary, 23-year playing career with the Red Devils. Giggs will remain with the club after accepting the position of assistant manager under newly appointed boss Louis van Gaal.

Giggs, 40, announced his retirement by posting an open letter to fans on Manchester United’s website.

“For me, today is a new chapter filled with many emotions — immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future,” Giggs wrote. “United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way. To the greatest fans in world football, thank you, I have loved every minute of playing for you and representing the biggest and best club in the world.

Giggs is arguably the greatest player in Manchester United and Premier League history. The Welshman spent his entire career with Manchester United, playing a club-record 963 games and scoring 168 goals. Giggs helped Manchester United win 34 major trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two UEFA Champions League crowns and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Giggs spent last season as a player-coach on David Moyes’ staff before becoming interim manager for the last four games of the campaign after Moyes was fired in April.

It is believed that club officials want Giggs to continue learning his managerial trade from van Gaal with the hopes that he could replace the Dutcman in the dugout after a few seasons.